At Nordstrom, Internal Audit Helps Business Leadership Take a Long-Term View of Technology as a Business Enabler

In 2010, management at Nordstrom decided the organization would no longer view technology as a traditional support function, but as a business enabler that would fuel future growth for Nordstrom. "We had to have a plan for managing the business of technology within the organization, and for redefining roles and responsibilities around technology and technology-enabled initiatives. If not handled properly, we knew it would become a problem—not an opportunity," said Dominique Vincenti, vice president of internal audit and financial controls at Nordstrom.

One way she expects the function will ultimately achieve its goal to be seen as a trusted business partner is by demonstrating that internal audit is there to support management taking more risks. Vincenti’s internal audit team also challenges how they use technology themselves to conduct audits.